‘Why can’t we vote?’ questions Sabah Cricket Association

THE Sabah Cricket Association (CA) has urged the Sports Commissioner to conduct a detailed probe into why they have been denied the right to vote at the biennial general meeting (BGM) on April 27, 2025.

This after their relevant fees to the Malaysian Cricket Association (MCA) had all been settled.

In a letter to the Sports Commissioner, an Exco member from Sabah CA said there was no show-cause issued, nor any disciplinary action taken as per the MCA Constitution.

“This move is undemocratic and is against the spirit of cricket, fair governance, and the principles of inclusiveness that should be upheld.

What was more worrying, said the Exco was that MCA was seen as acting selectively despite precedents — such as the case involving a full state affiliate member in 2021 who was still allowed to vote.

“There are candidates nominated without merit, credibility, or experience in administering cricket, including those who have never been directly involved at the state or national levels. “However, many individuals who are qualified, have extensive experience and are actively administering and developing cricket have been sidelined.

“This is a shocking action and reflects an element of nepotism, thus endangering the continuity and progress of this sport."

The Exco member said it was difficult to believe that the MCA’s past president, Mahinda Vallipuram, who is also an ICC director, is an active party to all this.

“The action of dropping two full state affiliate members from voting clearly raises questions about motives and partisanship ahead of the BGM.

"We are also not sure whether the Sports Commissioner has been informed or is aware of this matter, but we hope they will come forward and take immediate action to defend the integrity of national cricket,” said the Exco member.

According to earlier reports, MCA had also sent an urgent request to the Sports Commissioner to intervene following concerns over membership and governance within the association.

MCA president Mohammed Iqbal Ali Kassim Ali said the upcoming BGM was facing a crisis of credibility and constitutional imbalance due to multiple unresolved grievances and questionable conduct by several affiliated members.

Iqbal detailed 10 concerns in the letter which included the denial of membership rights involving the Kelantan and Sabah CAs.

The letter was also signed by MCA deputy president Dr Arun Kumar Beshamber Nath and its honorary treasurer Amarjeet Singh Wazir Singh. – April 23, 2025